Kirilenko: My dad plays better than some other coaches

Maria Kirilenko, who is at career-high ranking of No. 12, tells R-Sport that her father and coach Yuri is a better player than many other coaches.

“I started playing with my dad, and then we invited a few coaches,” she said. Each one of them helped me improve my game, but then I understood that psychologically I feel better with my father. He knows how to help me focus before a match; he knows the right words to say. There are no stressful situations with my dad, like there used to be with some other coaches. You’re not their child. Finally, my dad plays tennis, and he’s much better than many of the coaches that I’ve had.”